THE Penang government today criticised Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan for revealing private details of recently deceased teen M. Vasanthapiriya, who died after an attempted suicide as a result of being accused of stealing a teacher’s iPhone.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said it was hurtful to the girl’s family that the deputy minister had revealed to the press that she had slit her wrists two years ago.

He said the allegation had been denied by Vasanthapiriya’s family, who would have known the 14-year-old teen better.

“We, as fathers, feel angry that this was revealed. It was most irresponsible and cruel. The family is going through a difficult time and this is causing them more hurt.

“Even if it is true, you cannot say it; what more something untrue according to the family.

“Those in authority should have compassion and empathy. Try not to find fault or blame the victim, who was a child.

“We ask the deputy minister to go for counselling, to learn how to handle a tragedy like this,” he told a press conference today.

Vasanthapiriya, who was a student at SM Methodist Nibong Tebal, was accused of stealing her teacher’s iPhone late last month, which she denied.

It was reported that her teacher sent her home after school the same day to confront the teen’s parents. 

Her family later found her hanging from a shawl tied to an overhead pipe in her bedroom. The teen spent a week in coma before she died on February 1.

Last weekend, theSun quoted Kamalanathan as saying  the teen had slit her wrist in 2016.

The newspaper reported that Vasanthapiriya’s family had been advised to seek medical help for the teen, according to a counsellor’s report signed by two teachers and the girl’s family member.

Kamalanathan, when asked about the report, told theSun that it had been submitted to the police for investigation, adding that the girl had slit her wrist two years ago and her family did not take the counsellor’s advice. 

Deputy Chief Minister II Dr P. Ramasamy, who said he knew Vasanthapiriya’s father Muniandy Ratnam, said Kamalanathan should apologise to the family.

He also questioned the deputy minister for making the statement to the media.

“It is totally unacceptable, coming from a deputy minister, who should have been sympathetic.”

Ramasamy said it was best to let the police and Education Department investigate the incident. 

The case has sparked debate on social media, with many blaming the teacher.

It was also reported that the teacher, who was now posted at the southern Seberang Prai district education office, had received death threats.

Last weekend, the New Straits Times quoted police sources as saying CCTV footage at the school showed the teen taking the teacher’s iPhone. – February 13, 2018.